Gronk eats his words after tough MNF loss: “The best in football right now”

Speaking on Fox Sports this weekend, Rob Gronkowski nominated the Buccaneers as the team of the moment in the NFL - but Tampa Bay failed to live up to such lofty billing in Monday Night Football.

Appearing on Fox NFL Sunday, Gronkowski lauded the performances of Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, and pointed to the strength in depth in Todd Bowles’ roster, as he declared: “I believe the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, my former team, is the best team in football right now.”

“That’s going to be scary”

Retired tight end Gronkowski, who won one of his four career Super Bowl titles with the Bucs, went on: “[Mayfield] is playing his best football of his career right now.

“Last week, he threw touchdown passes to his number-six and seventh wide receiver. That just shows what kind of depth they have on that roster.

“Wait until they get back [top wide receivers Mike] Evans, [Emeka] Egbuka and Chris Godwin on the field at the same time. That’s going to be scary right there."

‘Gronk’ added of the Bucs’ quarterback: “Last year, Baker Mayfield threw 16 interceptions; he’s only thrown one this year. He has improved tremendously in that category, and he can do it on his feet as well.

“No matter how far the distance is to get the first down. He runs through all the defenders when it’s needed for him to make the big plays.”

In Monday’s Week 7 clash with the Detroit Lions, however, Mayfield struggled to maintain his early-season form, as the Buccaneers saw a two-game winning streak come to an end.

“A tough blow”

In a 24-9 defeat at Ford Field - Tampa Bay’s first road loss of the season - Mayfield threw 28-of-50 for 228 yards, one touchdown and one interception, with a passer rating of just 66.1. The quarterback was sacked four times in Detroit - his joint-highest single-game total in 2025.

Godwin continues his recovery from a fibula injury, but Egbuka and Evans both overcame hamstring issues to play in Michigan.

However, Egbuka was restricted to 58 receiving yards for no TDs - and Evans suffered a broken collarbone in the second quarter. He is now expected to miss much of the remainder of the season.

“It’s never good to see one of your stars go down like that - especially for him just coming back, and everybody excited to see him,” Bowles told reporters postgame. “It’s a tough blow.”

Evans had missed Weeks 4, 5 and 6 with his earlier muscle injury, having also sat out multiple games with a hamstring strain last year.

What’s next for the Bucs?

In Week 8, the 5-2 Buccaneers visit the 1-6 Saints, with the bookmakers backing Tampa Bay to return to winning ways against their ailing NFC South rivals.

The Floridians have moneyline odds of -220 for victory at Caesars Superdome, while New Orleans is valued back at +194, per Oddschecker.

The clash in Louisiana takes place on Sunday, October 26, with kickoff scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT. The game will air nationally on Fox; your streaming options include fubo, which offers a free trial.

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